St. Petersburg biologists offer proposals for greening the Arctic

St. Petersburg biologists have published methodological recommendations for growing plants in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. The Yamal-Nenets department for science and innovation told TASS news agency that the authors will hold workshops in the region to demonstrate how to use the method in plant cultivation, greening and beautification work.

"Biologists from Kirov St. Petersburg State Forestry University have published methodological recommendations, Agro-Technical Plant Cultivation in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, for agencies and offices engaged in urban construction and beautification. They are the fruit of studying the adaptation process of deciduous and coniferous tree species to the Arctic and sub-Arctic climatic zones, carried out since 2012 at the initiative of the area's department for science and innovation," TASS said.

According to the report, the studies enabled the scientists to compile a list of more than 100 tree species that can be used to green Yamal towns and settlements, create protective plantations, and reclaim damaged land.

"The authors set out standards and rules and commentary on them, and identify the particular circumstances that must be taken into consideration when doing greening work in the Arctic region," the TASS report said. "They give the optimum timetables and technology for planting trees and bushes, and give recommendations on how to choose the right seedlings, prepare the planting site, choose the best anti-stress varieties, complex fertilisers, and growth stimulators for obtaining better adaptation and growth of seedlings, and how to continue looking after the plants."